Stable Diffusion Guide: Run AI Image Generation Locally
Stable Diffusion is the most popular open-source AI image generation model. Unlike Midjourney or DALL-E, it runs on your own computer. No subscriptions, no usage limits, no censorship. Here is how to get started.
Why Choose Stable Diffusion?
- Completely free — generate unlimited images once set up
- Privacy — everything runs locally, nothing leaves your computer
- Control — fine-tune every aspect with ControlNet, LoRA, and custom models
- Community — 1000s of specialized models on Civitai for every style
Getting Started
Option 1: Automatic1111 WebUI (Recommended)
The most popular interface. One-click installer available for Windows. Supports all features: img2img, inpainting, ControlNet, LoRA, upscaling. Requires a GPU with at least 6GB VRAM for SDXL models.
Option 2: ComfyUI
Node-based interface for advanced users. More complex but more powerful. Better for complex workflows and batch processing.
Option 3: Online Services
If you do not have a powerful GPU, use Clipdrop or Leonardo.ai for free SD generation without local installation.
Best Models to Try First
- SDXL 1.0 — best all-purpose model, 1024x1024 resolution
- Realistic Vision — best for photorealistic images
- DreamShaper — best for artistic and creative styles